Changes In Chiriquí
May 9th, 2007 by Don Ray
Tomorrow it is predicted that the Panama newspapers and the local broadcast media will be buzzing with the announcement that El Rey has completed the acquisition of the Romero supermarket chain.
Since I have worked for a corporation that made its most dramatic growth by acquiring the operations personnel from other companies, I have some appreciation of the stress and turmoil that has been going on within the ranks of the Romero employees.
Up until now I am sure that most of the worry has been within the minds of those who had a greater sense of what was transpiring. The weeks following the announcement will produce more stress for some. Others will not be affected.
With the announcement, it would be a good time to be conscious of the new stress that will occur in Romero’s employee’s lives. If you shop at Romero’s, then make sure you have a pleasant smile for all that help you. When the cashier rings up your purchase say, “Tiene un buen dia”.
In the grand scheme of what is happening in the world this is a small event. However, for many people in Chiriquí this is a big and traumatic change.
Amen. For those living with the stress there’s nothing like feeling some affirmation. Like the song says, “I’ll get by with a little help from my friends.”
It is amazing how a smile can improve your attitude for a day. It has always made me feel better anyway.
I’ll be interested to see if the local buzz was correct…in Boquete, the word on the street was that one of the purchase stipulations on the table from the Romero group was that their personnel be kept on for a two year period to give them time to transition to other jobs…nice if that really is true.
I think that rumor will be true. I know that the Romero management has been very concerned for the well being of its current employees. However in any business transaction, the ultimate objective is for the organization to make more money that the previous organization.
Romero has been a valuable Chiriquí asset. And with all assets such as this one, its most important part is it relationship with its clients (you and me).